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The Basics On Postpartum Depression

Seeing your baby for the first time can bring about a mix of emotions. Happiness, joy, excitement, a bit of fear and maybe, some anxiety are valid feelings especially after undergoing the pains of labor and birth. These waves of emotions will pass for some and everything will be back to normal again. For other mothers, it’s not that easy. Their worry and stress become so strong which will turn into depression – postpartum depression.

Symptoms of Postpartum Depression (PPD)

After childbirth, the new mother will experience a condition called postpartum baby blues. It will not last for a long time, though, maybe a week or two at most. If the baby blues don’t go away after two weeks, it can be a more serious health disorder which can eventually lead to PPD.

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Here are some signs of postpartum baby blues that goes away after a few days:

Change in moods

Being anxious

Sadness

Touchiness

Overwhelmed

Tearful

Can’t focus

Lack of appetite

Sleep problems

If the mother will feel the above-mentioned signs for longer than two weeks and the feelings are intense or severe, then, it may be PPD. Here are other symptoms of PPD, aside from the ones already listed:

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Can’t feel that baby bond

Isolating self from family and friends

Insomnia or sleeping too much

Excessive eating or not eating at all

Fatigued all the time

No energy to get up from bed or to move

Angry all the time

Fear of not being a good mother

Guilty feelings

Thinking that you’re worthless, hopeless or helpless

Can’t seem to think well, plan, organize or make sound decisions

Panic attacks

Thinking about self-harming

Contemplating suicide and/or death

Postpartum depression is not a micro disorder. It is a real condition which can be critical for the person suffering from it when left untreated. If you are a mother who just gave birth and you’ve been experiencing the at least five of the signs and symptoms mentioned above for more than 15 days, then, you need to see a mental health care professional.

What to expect from your mental health care provider

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Most of those who have been diagnosed with Postpartum Depression is recommended to do two things – seek continuous mental health treatment and to take antidepressants until cured.

For mental health treatment, psychotherapy or talk therapy are preferred. You go to a shrink and then talk about what makes you feel the way you feel. You can also opt for anonymous chat sessions if you don’t want a face to face encounter with your therapist. Check this URL for more details on that – https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/chat/pros-and-cons-of-an-anonymous-chat-room/. (It is a cheaper alternative to the traditional counselor plus you can call, text, or video chat with your online therapist anytime you want. The site is operating 24 hours a day and 7 days a week without breaks. They have about 2,000 licensed and certified mental health care providers ready to listen to your issues, concerns, worries, and fears.)

As for medication, some antidepressants are harmless for those who are breastfeeding. Only a psychiatrist can prescribe these medicines for you and you must take it as directed. Consult with your mental health care provider on the side-effects of pills on you and your baby.